KARDA ESTRA eve
		Format CD Country UK Recorded 2000-2001 Issued 2001 Label Cyclops Cat no. CYCL 104 Playing time 42:37 Reviewer Sven Eriksen

The man behind the concept Karda Estra is called Richard Wileman, he has written the music and plays all the instruments except violins and woodwind. The music is inspired by the short story The Future Eve written in 1884 by Villiers d’Isle Adam, which, in turn, has a certain relationship with a better known literary work, Dr. Frankenstein.

Eve is a record bordering progressive and classical music, or somewhere between After Crying, Dead Can Dance and Bela Bartok, for that sake. The record is distinguished by delicious strings and woodwind in ensemble with acoustic guitar, piano, choir and synths. It contains hypnotizing and fascinating musical themes which would have fitted perfectly as the soundtrack to a fantastic film. The music is slightly minimalistic, unbelievably atmospheric, but has all the less action and energy.

Wileman creates exciting soundscapes in a sort of nondescript acoustic/electronic musical landscape. Mourning and beautiful, sad minor chords create a backdrop for the simple, but well formulated melodic lines which are being performed on anything from oboe to electric guitar. Or there are waves of choir washing towards us backed by grand piano and a painful oboe.

This is a record which puts you in a very special mood, magic and unreal as it is. This is "chamber prog" in the right sense of the word. "Eve" will apply to those who enjoy Anthony Phillips’ Slow Dance and Tarka, or those who like the less chaotic sides of Philip Glass. Recommended.

© 2002 Tarkus Magazine

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